Rohit’s 127 helps India to lead by 171 runs
4th Sep 2021, International Test Match series Day 3 of 5
England Vs India at Kia Oval, London
India First Innings 191 ao off 61.3ov. Thakur 57 off 36, 7 fours, 3 sixes,, Kohli 50 off 96 balls, 8 fours, Rahane 14 off 47 balls, 1 four, Woakes 4-55, Robinson 3-38, Anderson 1-41, C Overston 1-49.
England 1st Innings 290 ao 84 ov Malan 31 off 67, 5 fours, Root 21 off 25, 4 fours, Pope 81 off 159, 6 fours, Bairstow 37 off 77, 7 fours, Woakes 50 off 60, 11 fours Yadav 3-76, Bumrah 2-67, Jadeja 2-36, Siraj 1-42, Thakur 1-54.
India Second Innings 270-3 off 92 ov Rohit Sharma 127 off 256, 14 fours, 1 six, Rahul 46 off 101, 6 fours, 1 six, Pujara 61 off 127, 9 fours, Kohli 22 no off 37, 4 fours, Anderson 1-49, Robinson 2-67.
India lead England by 171 runs with 7 wickets remaining.
Rohit Sharma’s 127 was outstanding his first Test Hundred outside India, leading the way as the tourists reached 270 -3 a lead of 171. He added 83 for the first wicket with KL Rahul, then 153 for the second wicket with Cheteshwar Pujara who contributed 61.
However, Rohit was dropped for the second time by Rory Burns, the man who also missed the chance to catch him on the second evening. This is Rohit’s 25th away Test, which he played with discipline, concentration, defensive technique, determination and ultimate control.
With the second new ball England found inspiration from Ollie Robinson who removed both Rohit and Pujara in the same over.
Rohit misjudged a slower delivery from Ollie Robinson, as he could not keep his pull shot down. Robinson also bowed an in-cutter that took the edge off Pujara’s bat into the pads and flew towards slip for an easy catch.
The tourists collectively stuck to old-fashioned Test values to bat themselves into a better position. Some of England’s problems are of their own making as they could have bowled India out more cheaply on day one and been more ruthless with the bat on day two, and dropped catches. Any target of 250 will be challenging on this track and especially with batting line-up where Joe Root is the only consistent performer.